Essential Preorder & Presale vs Notify! Back in Stock|PreOrderfor Shopify (2026)
Both Essential Preorder & Presale and Notify! Back in Stock|PreOrder are highly-rated Shopify apps designed to manage pre-orders, back-in-stock notifications, and related functionalities. However, they appear to cater to slightly different segments of the market. Essential Preorder & Presale emphasizes customizability and control over the pre-order and back-in-stock process, focusing on detailed payment schedules, inventory management, and widget customization. Notify! Back in Stock|PreOrder, on the other hand, leans towards a broader suite of features, including wishlist functionality, guest wishlist support, low-stock alerts with FOMO counters, and integration capabilities with other apps. While both support B2B and D2C pre-orders, Notify! Back in Stock|PreOrder seems to emphasize its B2B capabilities more directly with support for chosen catalogs and locations. Furthermore, the larger number of reviews for Notify! Back in Stock|PreOrder suggests a broader adoption and potentially a longer presence in the market. Essential Preorder & Presale may be more appealing to merchants who prioritize deep customization and precise control over their pre-order flow, while Notify! Back in Stock|PreOrder may be more suitable for businesses seeking a more comprehensive solution with wishlist functionality, low-stock alerts for driving sales, and flexible notifications including SMS and push.
At a Glance
Essential Preorder & Presale
466 reviews
Notify! Back in Stock|PreOrder
2,483 reviews
Detailed Overview
Essential Preorder & Presale
Run pre-orders, presale with partial payments. Capture out-of-stock demand with back in stock alerts
Key Features
- Run preorders, backorders on out of stock, coming soon, made to order products
- Fully customise Preorder Now button: product, collections, search, Quick Buy
- Partial payments: deposits, deferred payment, due date & split payment schedules
- Show a Notify me button and out of stock alert form to capture restock demand
- Send automatic back in stock email notifications when items are restocked
Notify! Back in Stock|PreOrder
Notify Me! for back in stock alert, backorder, out of stock waiting list, low stock alert & wishlist
Key Features
- Accept B2B preorders for your chosen catalogs and locations alongside D2C
- Save products with Wishlist button even when not logged in (Guest Wishlist)
- Works with your other tools and apps to create back order and restock workflows
- Human in-house customer support team
- Low stock alert and widget, multilingual tools, forecasting, resend, and more!
Feature Comparison
| Rating | 4.9/5 | 4.9/5 |
Rating Essential Preorder & Presale4.9/5 Notify! Back in Stock|PreOrder4.9/5 | ||
| Reviews | 466 | 2483 |
Reviews Essential Preorder & Presale466 Notify! Back in Stock|PreOrder2483 | ||
| Partial Payments | Yes: deposits, deferred, split | Yes: with discounts & notes |
Partial Payments Essential Preorder & PresaleYes: deposits, deferred, split Notify! Back in Stock|PreOrderYes: with discounts & notes | ||
| Customization | High: Preorder Now button, widgets | Notify Me, PreOrder button |
Customization Essential Preorder & PresaleHigh: Preorder Now button, widgets Notify! Back in Stock|PreOrderNotify Me, PreOrder button | ||
| Additional Features | Inventory Control, Order Fulfillment Rules | Wishlist, Low Stock Alerts, Forecasting |
Additional Features Essential Preorder & PresaleInventory Control, Order Fulfillment Rules Notify! Back in Stock|PreOrderWishlist, Low Stock Alerts, Forecasting | ||
| Target Merchant | Merchants prioritizing customization & control | Merchants seeking comprehensive solution & FOMO tactics |
Target Merchant Essential Preorder & PresaleMerchants prioritizing customization & control Notify! Back in Stock|PreOrderMerchants seeking comprehensive solution & FOMO tactics | ||
| B2B Focus | DTC or B2B | Emphasis on B2B with catalog/location support |
B2B Focus Essential Preorder & PresaleDTC or B2B Notify! Back in Stock|PreOrderEmphasis on B2B with catalog/location support | ||
| Notification Channels | Email/SMS/Push/WhatsApp | |
Notification Channels Essential Preorder & PresaleEmail Notify! Back in Stock|PreOrderEmail/SMS/Push/WhatsApp | ||
Our Verdict
For merchants who value granular control over pre-order fulfillment and customization of the user experience (e.g., tailoring widgets to perfectly match their brand), Essential Preorder & Presale is likely the better choice. Its focus on detailed payment scheduling and order management provides a robust framework for complex pre-order campaigns. On the other hand, for businesses looking to maximize sales by leveraging FOMO tactics with low-stock alerts and wanting to provide a convenient wishlist feature for customers, Notify! Back in Stock|PreOrder presents a more comprehensive solution. Its broader range of features, combined with a significantly larger user base (as indicated by the higher number of reviews), makes it a strong contender for merchants seeking a more all-in-one approach to managing back-in-stock notifications, pre-orders, and wishlists.
Common Questions
Which app is better for B2B pre-orders?
Both apps support B2B pre-orders. However, Notify! Back in Stock|PreOrder explicitly mentions support for chosen catalogs and locations, giving it a slight edge in that area.
Which app offers more control over the look and feel of preorder widgets?
Essential Preorder & Presale offers more customization options for its Preorder Now button and widgets, allowing for a more seamless integration with your store's design.
Which app offers more notification channels for restock alerts?
Notify! Back in Stock|PreOrder provides restock alerts via email, SMS, push notifications, and WhatsApp, offering more flexibility than Essential Preorder & Presale's email-only approach.
Which app is better for driving sales through FOMO?
Notify! Back in Stock|PreOrder includes a 'only X left' counter for low stock products, which can be effective for creating a sense of urgency and driving sales through FOMO.
Does either app offer a wishlist feature?
Yes, Notify! Back in Stock|PreOrder includes a wishlist feature that allows shoppers to save items and return later, boosting engagement and recovery.
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